The rants, raves, reviews, news, and express written opinion of a writer celebrating his life long love affair with music that rocks!!!

Thursday, January 22, 2015

The Greatest Album Is...Highway To Hell

Every band that has
been around for a while and released great records runs into this debate; what
is their greatest album? The greatest album is…is a column dedicated to
tackling that age old question. What is the greatest album recorded by AC/DC?
Join with us now as the question is answered and arguments are made that the
greatest AC/DC album is Highway To Hell.

It starts with one of the most recognizable riffs in rock
and roll history. By the time the first notes to “Highway To Hell” are
finished, every listener with ears knows what song is playing. It finishes with
the very original, albeit highly controversial, “Night Prowler,” an exceptional
song about a stalker, or a boy sneaking into his girlfriend’s room, depending
on which report is accepted. And in between are eight hard rocking, heavy
hitting, extremely delightful, rock and roll songs with absolutely no filler.

The last album that Bon Scott ever recorded with AC/DC
was 1979’s Highway To Hell. It is
also the best album that AC/DC ever released. In the spring of 1979, the band
set out to record the follow up to Powerage.
When those sessions finished, AC/DC had Bon Scott’s last recorded album and
their finest work ever. Not one song on Highway
To Hell should be skipped. Each one is a magnificent work of art in its own
right.

Highway To Hell is
a pure hard rock masterpiece. Filled with themes of sexual desires, hard
rocking riffs that no guitarist can duplicate, and the entertaining, double entendre
lyrics that the band has become famous for; this was AC/DC at their best. There
is a sense of urgency in all of Angus Young’s leads, evident on sensational
tracks like “Touch Too Much,” “Highway To Hell,” and “If You Want Blood (You
Got It).” The lyrics maintain the typical AC/DC playful style of drinking,
partying, loving women of all types, and playing rock and roll.

Highway To Hell
also contains one of the most overlooked gems recorded by AC/DC---“Love Hungry
Man.” This is a terrific song that many fans have simply forgotten exists. A
romper stomper bar room brawl of a song, “Love Hungry Man” highlights Bon Scott
at his most prodigious. The yowls were perfect, the energy in his voice was
simply amazing, and Angus’ guitar solo on this magnum opus is one that leaves
other guitarists in envy. Go ahead and re-listen to this song and then ask
yourself why in the world the band doesn’t play this one in concert more often.

Highway To Hell
vaulted AC/DC to the top ranks of hard rock acts. And while Let There Be Rock saw the creation of
one of their signature live tracks, and Dirty
Deeds Done Dirt Cheap had a much more blatant sexual overtone, it was Highway To Hell that saw AC/DC reigning
as champions of rock. Their future was full moon bright, and if Bon Scott had
lived on, who knows where the band would have ended up.

AC/DC still managed to make incredible records with Brian
Johnson after Bon Scott passed away, but there has never been another record
quite like Highway To Hell. Every
song is a sing along anthem that can be enjoyed over and over and over again.
Every note of music is a song unto itself. Every Bon Scott yowl is a joyous
celebration of all things grand. Yes, Back
In Black is an incredible album in its own right, and yes, a huge argument
can be made that Back In Black is
AC/DC’s best album, but Back In Black is
more of a celebration of the AC/DC yet to come. Highway To Hell is a celebration of the AC/DC that was at that
moment. And that AC/DC was a joyous romp of young lads hitting their stride and
reaching their musical peak.

The greatest AC/DC album is…Highway To Hell

Vital
Statistics

Released: July 27, 1979

Produced by Robert “Mutt” Lange

RIAA Sales: 7x Platinum

Peak Position on US Charts:17

Ranked number 200 in Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of 500
greatest albums of all time